Having just got my breath back after the amazing events on 23 v Villa which I watched on TV I was very grateful to my daughter in law who had offered to take me and my son to the game on a day when no trains were running and no special buses either Words cannot describe how grateful I felt to her afterwards, the thought of missing that sort of game is awful (I felt really sorry for two of my mates who had had to leave early due to transport issues -they missed our 2 goals- a decision made by them before the game) Anyway on to the game, it is games like this that just make it all worthwhile, all that pain and suffering gone in an instant. I have lost track of the number of times over the years when my wife has asked me why I keep doing something that makes me so miserable so often - well dear, it is for things like yesterday It was good to see Douglas back in the team and no real surprise that Harrison kept his place despite his poor performance last time and the fans opinion of him. However yesterday showed that he does have something to offer as we went at Blackburn from the off with lots of pace and lovely one touch pass and move football, it was a real joy to watch. With Klitch seeming to have lost his scoring ability (he did have quite a few shots yesterday) I do worry a bit about where our goals are going to come from (Roofe excepted) and despite all our dominance it took an own goal (created by Harrison) to break the deadlock. We had lots of shots and half chances either side of this as we brushed Blackburn aside with a type of fluid football that we have not seen for years, if ever. It did look as if it would just be a question of how many. Pontus must have had a great Christmas as he decided to choose yesterday to showcase his skills with back heels, step over and drag backs worthy of Cruyff himself. One such drag back nearly led to a brilliant goal, Pontus had the ball as a Blackburn player came hurtling in, how we laughed when Pontus' skill left him on his backside and started a move that ended with Alioski running at their defence and hammering a shot destined for the top corner before the keeper managed to get a hand to it. Alioski then hit the bar with one attempt and tried an audacious overhead kick as we totally dominated the game, the only down side was the fact that it was only 1 0 at half time Over our half time pint in the freezing Fanzone we felt that Blackburn would be shell shocked but the instructions from their manager would be to try and keep it at 1 0 for as long as possible and then hope they could nick one - good plan but no chance of that was our general opinion. Then we had just back to our seats when the ball was in our area and the ref was pointing to the spot - don't know who did what but no Leeds players were complaining so we assumed it was correctly given. No heroics from BPF this penalty and suddenly it was 1 1 with only minutes of the second half gone. However unlike in previous seasons there was no panic either in the stands or on the pitch as we just carried on as we had first half with Forshaw having perhaps his best game for us, Roofe running his whatsits off and everyone doing their bit. Clarke came on and as per usual tormented their defence taking on and beating the fullback and putting in crosses, but it appeared as if it would not be our day as the crosses just failed to find a Leeds shirt. Klich and Douglas both had decent efforts saved or just past the post, what appeared to be a handball in their area was not given and the clock ticked down. I said to my mate that even though it was looking like a draw I had had a great time watching them, they were a real joy and we knew the winning run could not continue for ever, we then laughingly said that even a defeat would be Ok given how great we had been! Then from nowhere a mad last few minutes - first they got a free kick on the edge of the box , a needless foul really but a long way out and we should be Ok. The lad hit it well enough but BPF got down and tipped it round the post - ooops scratch that, that is what he ought to have done,, but instead and not for the first time, he showed very weak wrists and he just pushed it into the net. Poor keeping - I do think with the saves he still makes and his overall understanding of our methods and his contribution to it that he should keep his place but, like many, I would not be unhappy to see the keeper we are (hopefully) bringing in in January become number 1. So despite all our dominance, 2 free shots would be our undoing, except when the board went up saying 4 minutes we knew all round the stadium that we were not done yet, we would still create another chance. Lo and behold we were correct and a cross into the box from Forshaw was flicked on to Alioski who had a great header saved on the line, the ball fell to Pablo and his shot was also parried on the line but it fell to Roofe and his shot was also 'cleared off the line' well it was according to the ref, but these days we have something better than a ref - goal line technology that showed that Roofes shot had crossed the line we had salvaged a point at the death As we jumped about and hugged each other in the stands the players had better ideas and just carried on, there was after all still 30 seconds to go - the ball came out to Forshaw but instead of just putting it in the mixer he played it wide to Pablo who put in a lovely cross, Roofe (a la Derby ?) got between 2 defenders and leapt like the proverbial salmon, hung in the air and headed it into the bottom corner - cue absolute pandemonium in the stands - we all went ballistic - up there with the best celebrations over the years. We were still all jumping around when the whistle went, we had won with last kick (head) of the game. The players then joined in the celebrations (watch again and weep again Dean Smith) as we sang and chanted and gave them all a massive ovation What a performance and what a finish. Roofe again with two goals to confound his doubters - Every player gets an 8 or more from me (apart from maybe BPF for his blunder but without their goal we could not have had that finish so I will give him an 8 too !) Buzzing all the way home, cars beeping their horns and fans singing outside the stadium as we all left feeling euphoric Yes it could all still come crashing down - this is Leeds United after all - but what a pleasure it has been this season to watch some sublime football mixed with a never say die and never change the way we play attitude (I could not believe the number of fans who shouted 'get rid' hoof it' and variations of that during the first half when we were defending in front of our Stand - have you lot not seen us play this season? Yes there were times when Pontus' showboating and BPF, Douglas and Ayling delayed a bit too long and nearly got caught out but that is how we do things One final comment - I have put in many a match report (before this season admittedly) that Kalvin Phillips would never be a footballer - well I have never been more wrong about a player - he is top notch at this level now, a real gem with a range of passing and a coolness about him that I would never have predicted in a million years One very, very happy Salford White (looking forward to Saturday already, albeit it will be another tough game) Dave _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: https://mailman.gn.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected]
Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/leedslist/ RIP Jimmy WAC-COE
